The following insurers made headlines this week. They are listed below, beginning with the most recent.
1. Tenet, Health Net fined over Medicare Advantage mistakes: 11 things to know
CMS fined Health Net and Dallas-based Tenet Healthcare, which both operate Medicare plans, for wrongly denying coverage for prescription drugs and inappropriately delaying policyholder appeals.
2. AG: Horizon's tiered OMNIA plan breaks no laws
New Jersey's acting Attorney General determined Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey's OMNIA line of discount health plans did not violate any laws.
3. Blue Cross parent narrows losses in 2015
Health Care Service Corp., the Chicago-based parent of Blue Cross and Blue Shield plans in five states, reported a net loss of $65.9 million in 2015 compared to a loss of $281.9 million a year earlier.
4. New York AG investigates 16 insurers over drug restriction concerns
New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman has requested information from 16 health insurers on their coverage of hepatitis C treatments.
5. DeKalb Physician Hospital Organization, Humana launch value-based care agreement
Atlanta-based DeKalb Physician Hospital Organization and insurance provider Humana expanded their relationship by adding value-based care provisions to their agreement serving Humana commercial members with the goal of enhancing the coordination of care services, improving quality and reducing healthcare costs.
6. Major Oregon health insurers end 2015 with losses
Most Oregon health insurers reported net losses in 2015, and those that came out ahead for the year benefited from strong investment income.
7. Oscar posts $105.2M loss in NY, NJ
New York-based health insurer startup Oscar Health recorded a $105.2 million loss in its New York and New Jersey businesses in 2015, showing insurance companies of all sizes are struggling with the new markets created by the Affordable Care Act.
8. 4 top insurers reimburse telehealth visits at lower rates
How much are your telehealth visits costing you? It could be more than you think. A recent study conducted by Fernando Wilson, PhD, a professor at Omaha-based University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Public Health analyzed claims data from 2009 through 2013 from Aetna, Humana, Kaiser Permanente and United Healthcare.
9. BCBS of Rhode Island, Lifespan and Coastal Medicine forge accountable care agreement: 3 things to know
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Rhode Island, Lifespan and Coastal Medical, all based in Providence, entered into an accountable care agreement designed to improve the coordination of primary, specialty and inpatient care.